The opening of the Botswana diamond sorting facility is the latest example of beneficiation, the effort in Africa to ensure that people in diamond-producing nations benefit from their country's natural resources.

Tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the Botswana economy, accounting for nearly 12% of the total GDP; it is an important sector for diversifying the mineral-based economy and create jobs, particularly in rural areas.

Relations between Botswana and China, which have grown by leaps and bounds since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, is a top priority of the Botswana government, according to Mompati Merafhe, former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

From its inauspicious beginning as one of the poorest countries in Africa, Botswana has not only solidified itself as one of the most stable and least corrupt countries in the developing world, it has also enjoyed high growth at an average annual rate of

"We have changed our laws in the setting up of power stations to allow the private sector to participate and there is no reason why the Chinese cannot participate either in partnership with the companies that are already mounting projects or by starting t